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ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A New York State judge on Tuesday blocked a subpoena from the state Attorney General’s office, seeking information about people using the global website Airbnb to make short-term apartment rentals in New York City.

Albany Supreme Court Justice Gerald Connolly wrote that the subpoena filed last year by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was “overbroad,” granting Airbnb’s motion to quash it.

But Connolly writes that there is evidence that “a substantial number of hosts” may be violating the law and tax provisions.

Airbnb argued in turn that state law is unconstitutionally vague and Schneiderman’s office is seeking private, confidential information. The company called the effort a “fishing expedition.”

The law prohibits owners or renters of apartments in multi-unit buildings from renting them for less than 30 days unless they remain present. The law permits having boarders or renting rooms.

In a court affidavit last month, a state researcher said Airbnb listed 19,522 city rentals Jan. 31, nearly all for less than 30 days and 64 percent for the entire apartment, indicating the host would be absent.

The issue came to a head after complaints of prostitution rings using apartments and parties going on in homes of unsuspecting renters, 1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa reported last month.